Rutgers OPA
Weekly Newsletter | May 3, 2018
Dr. Terri Wood
"My greatest reward from mentoring is in helping young scientists develop their abilities to become independent and to assist in launching them towards their goals. The most exciting moments are those when my mentees realize they are capable of more than they realized!
My advice is to follow your passion and believe you can be successful if you really want to do something. Learn from people who are successful and happy in the career you are interested in doing". - Dr. Terri Wood
Read more.
Things you should know...
Dear Rutgers Postdoc community,
This newsletter includes reading material, general announcements, and upcoming events. Scroll down for more information.
Check also our website for a collection of previous OPA weekly newsletter.
Reading Material
Feeling overwhelmed by academia? You are not alone
Five researchers share their stories and advice on how to maintain good mental health in the hyper-competitive environment of science.
*Article published on Nature
"More than 150 scientists contacted Nature with their personal stories following coverage of an international survey showing evidence of a mental-health crisis in graduate education (T. M. Evans et al. Nature Biotechnol. 36, 282–284; 2018). To kick off a series on mental health in academia, we talked to five people on the front lines of science who were willing to share their insights and discuss how changes to the culture might help".
Read more.
Today last day to apply for phase 2 of iJOBS
*On behalf of Dr. Janet Alder:
Brief description of Phase 2: The career panels, site visits and workshops that constitute Phase 1 will continue next Fall and we hope you will participate in them actively. If you are also interested in getting more involved in iJOBS to pursue shadowing and coursework in your area of interest, we have opened Phase 2 applications for grad students, postdocs, and alumni of Rutgers, Princeton, Stevens, Rowan, and NJIT.
Phase 2 applications require at least 12 hours of Phase 1 activities, a personal statement, permission from your PI, and a letter of recommendation from your PI or another faculty member. Grad students must be in good academic standing and have completed the proposition qualifier by Fall 2018 to apply. Postdocs and alumni may apply at any stage
Applications are due by May 4 and admissions decisions will be made by June 4. Phase 2 for 2018 will start in September.
Please scroll down to see the attached application, FAQ and follow instructions carefully.
INTRODUCTION TO DATA MANAGEMENT FOR RESEARCHERS | May 15
You are invited to join RDI2 for a discussion of best practices for managing research data. The data created as part of research is important, and should be well-organized, well-preserved, accessible, understandable, and usable by the scholarly community. The discussion will include developments in data sharing, data collaboration, reproducible research, and more.
As part of the NSF funded Virtual Data Collaboratory project, RDI2 is developing educational modules to help researchers solve their data issues and increase the impact of their research. Insights and feedback resulting from the discussion will be incorporated into the educational modules.
Date and Time: May 15, 2018 ; 12:00 p.m.—2:00 p.m.
Location:
CoRE Building, Room 701, Busch Campus
(96 Frelinghuysen Road, Piscataway)
*Note: Use 100 Brett Road for Navigation
Lunch will be provided. No registration necessary.
For additional information, please contact forough.ghahramani@rutgers.edu.
Scroll down to see flyer.
Support the Rutgers Science Explorer Station
*On behalf of Ryan Lee, Program Coordinator, Rutgers Science Explorer:
"As you know the Rutgers Science Explorer has been supporting our middle schools throughout New Jersey for 11 years and we have impacted over 40,000 students. There are only 8 days left in our campaign and we want you to help us reach our goal of $6,000 to outfit our newly renovated Outreach room with state of the art technology and give children the ultimate STEM experience.
If you have not donated, would you consider helping us meet our goal and bring scientists to children?
We simply can’t do it without you. Your support will make a real, lasting impact in children that take part in our program.
Please, click here to make your donation now. Become a sponsor to increase scientific literacy and provide the opportunity of STEM careers to New Jersey students".
Sincerely,
Ryan Lee
Program Coordinator
Rutgers Science Explorer
Who we are?
The Rutgers Science Explorer (RSE), also known as the "Science Bus", is a custom-built mobile lab dedicated to visiting middle schools around the state of New Jersey during the academic year. We present students with real-life problems allowing them to take the role of a scientist or engineer. By working on a variety of hands-on activities, students learn key concepts from the school curriculum and are exposed to research practices. Rutgers graduate students in the STEM disciplines design and lead the activities on board the RSE. This interaction between scientists and students is a unique opportunity to foster community engagement and scientific literacy in communities located within a 50 miles radius of the Rutgers New Brunswick campus.
In order to expand the reach of the program and foster stronger relationships with the communities visited by the RSE, a space in the ARC Building on Busch Campus has been renovated to serve as an outreach center. K-12 students and their teachers can visit us on-campus and experience STEM disciplines at Rutgers in a friendly and safe space. Our vision is that this space, known as the RSE Station, is that it will fulfill the need of students for career exploration and support the teachers’ goals for active learning outside of their classrooms. Groups visiting the RSE Station will also have the opportunity to participate in a tour of Physics and Biology demonstrations in the lobby of the Math and Science Learning Center.
Why support us?
The RSE program has one of the oldest mobile labs in the nation and has served the outreach and service mission of Rutgers for the last eleven years. Over 40,000 students have participated in the RSE activities since 2006. The RSE Station will allow us to create new experiences and increase the number of students that participate in the our programs. The recently renovated space now needs to be outfitted with technology, including multiple projectors, computer, two TV monitors, wiring, and installation costs. Access to technology is crucial for the success of the students and this project. Your support will allow us to provide the necessary tools to create an ultimate experience for all of New Jersey.
SVPAA Events
Apply by May 11 | 2018-19 RUTGERS CONNECTION NETWORK (RCN) MENTORING PROGRAM
Dear Rutgers Postdoc Community,
The Rutgers Connection Network (RCN) Faculty-to-Faculty Mentoring Program - sponsored by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs - is a universitywide program that provides the infrastructure, training, and facilitation for you to participate in a yearlong effective and collaborative mentoring partnership beyond the departmental level. Participants are matched based on stated career goals and needs, and are focused on increasing their skills, productivity and perspective.
Through this program, participants can address such issues as their own career advancement or how to help another advance, and they can increase their mentoring skills by participating as a mentee, mentor, or peer-mentor.
Dr. Barbara Lee, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, invites postdoctoral researchers to apply for the RCN Mentoring Program. There will be six spots reserved for postdocs.
By participating in the RCN Mentoring program, you will have the opportunity to develop a set of skills such as networking, mentoring, leadership, communication, management, all of which are essential to be successful in any career path.
If you are passionate about mentoring and helping others further develop their skills, productivity, and career goals, this is a great program and opportunity to apply and become a mentor.
If you are a postdoc in need of mentorship to help sharpen your skills and set and commit to your career goals, this program and opportunity is for you as well.
Interested in Applying?
All interested postdocs, universitywide—from all disciplines, are invited to apply.Please scroll down to see the attached flyer for more information and to apply online by Friday, May 11.
Thank you.
The OPA Team &
RCN Mentoring Program Leadership Team
OPA Events
Drafting Your Specific Aims: A Postdoc Writing Workshop | Register by May 20
Are you submitting a grant proposal in the coming months? If so, this writing-intensive workshop will help you draft a central part of any NIH (and other funders’) award application: the Specific Aims. The aims outline the objectives of your research and give the reviewer a sense of the purpose and proposed outcomes of your project. In this workshop, there will be a brief introduction to some guiding principles and best practices to approaching the Specific Aims. Then, we will transition to conducting a series of writing and peer-review exercises. Bring your laptop and a ready-to-write spirit!
Presented by: Dr. Ben Arenger, Senior Fellowship Adviser, GradFund
When: Thursday, May 31, 2018
Time: 11:30 AM - 2 PM
Where: Rutgers-New Brunswick - Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D-406
Sponsored by: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs
*Light lunch will be provided.
Register here by May 20.
Thursday, May 31, 2018, 11:30 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Rutgers iJOBS Events
iJOBS Workshop: How Staffing Agencies Can Help You Find a Job | Registration Opens May 10
Registration will open soon on May 10!
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
675 Hoes Lane West
Research Tower, Deans Conference Room 123
Piscataway, NJ 08540
iJOBS offers transportation. Limited spaces are available. Registration is required.
Have questions about this iJOBS event? Contact Rutgers iJOBS Program Directors:
Janet Alder; janet.alder@rutgers.edu
Susan Engelhardt; engels@soe.rutgers.edu
Doreen Badheka; badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu
Thursday, Jun 7, 2018, 04:30 PM
675 Hoes Lane West, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Other Events
Announcing the 11TH ANNUAL NIH CAREER SYMPOSIUM | May 18
*On behalf of Dr. Janet Alder:
The NIH Career Symposium highlights the diversity of career choices available to your generation of biomedical researchers. Whether you are a new graduate student, postdoc, or clinical fellow just beginning to consider career options or a senior student/fellow ready to look for a job, the NIH Career Symposium is for you. This event has 16 panels of career choices, ~60 speakers, and career skills sessions—all to help you as you prepare for the next step in your career.
We invite any postdoc, clinical fellow or PhD-level graduate student to join us, regardless if you are part of the NIH intramural program or not. This event is free to attend (participants are responsible for their own travel expenses)
Date & Location:
May 18, 2018 8:30 am - 4:15 pm
NIH Main Campus, Bethesda, MD-- Natcher Conference Center, Building 45
Regular OPA Events
Welcome & Information Session | Friday, May 25 | Registration Required
The Office of Postdoctoral Affairs offers Welcome and Information Sessions to help orient new and current postdocs. If you are a postdoc who is new to Rutgers, or just curious about the resources that are available to you, we strongly encourage you to register for an upcoming one-hour session.
Next session will be, April 27. Please register today as space is limited.
Time: 9–10 a.m. or 11 a.m.–noon
Where: Office of Postdoctoral Affairs with Dr. Itzamarie Chevere-Torres located at Busch Campus, Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D354. Registration is required.
For more information about sessions at Newark, contact Dr. Doreen Badheka badhekdk@gsbs.rutgers.edu on Newark Campus: Medical Science Building, Room H645.
Friday, May 25, 2018, 09:00 AM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Drop-in Coffee Hour | Friday, May 4
If you are a postdoc interested in learning more about how to make the most of your time at Rutgers, prepare for life after Rutgers, or just want to share some coffee or tea in a safe space, come by and visit.
Location:
Office of Postdoctoral Affairs, Nelson Biology Laboratories, Room D354.
Registration is not required.
Friday, May 4, 2018, 02:00 PM
604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, United States
Individual Career Advising Sessions
If you're a postdoc looking for perspective on how to navigate your career path or career transition, contact Itzamarie Chevere-Torres to schedule an appointment.
For Newark postdocs, contact Doreen Badheka to schedule an appointment. Individual career counseling sessions for Newark postdocs will be at the Medical Science Building, Room H645.
Fellowship Advising Sessions for Postdocs
Do you want additional feedback or guidance on your grant or fellowship proposal? Do you want to learn about grants and fellowships to support your postdoctoral training at Rutgers?
Schedule an appointment with Ben Arenger, Senior Fellowship Adviser, for an individual fellowship advising session.
Ben is available every Tuesday at our office by appointment only.
Would you like to be our featured postdoc of the month?
Rutgers is proud to be home to a vibrant and growing community of over 600 postdocs! Would you like to highlight your research or your career goals on our website?
Contact us opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Is your faculty mentor exceptional?
Do you have a faculty mentor who has made a real difference in your life? We'd love to hear from you. Contact us opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Rutgers Universitywide, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
Reporting to the University-wide Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, and committed to advancing the University’s mission to conduct cutting-edge research and advanced training, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs supports postdoctoral researchers and their faculty mentors by providing a central hub for professional development, knowledge sharing, and community building opportunities.
Location:
Nelson Biology Laboratories
Suite D350
604 Allison Road
Piscataway, NJ 08854
Email: opa@oq.rutgers.edu
Website: https://postdocs.rutgers.edu/
Location: 604 Allison Road, Piscataway Township, NJ, USA
Phone: 848-445-1800